ABSTRACT
Objective To improve the detecting sensitivity of serum specific IgE (sIgE) by improving the quality of coated antigen in shrimp. Methods The extracts from shrimp protein was prepared. Western blot assay was used to identify the major allergenic protein components. The protein components>55 ku were separated by Sephadex gel chromatography. SDS-PAGE technology was used to analyze proteins. Samples of shrimp protein and proteins>55 ku were used as the coat-ing antigen to coat 96 microplate respectively. Western blot assay and ELISA were used to evaluate preliminary sensitivity of the purified antigen for detecting sIgE. Results Immunoblot experiments showed that the protein>55 ku was the main aller-genic protein component of shrimp. Those >55 ku proteins were separated successfully by Sephadex gel chromatography, showing 10 identifiable bands in SDS-PAGE. Dot-pot immunoassay showed that proteins>55 ku used as coated antigens could improve the spots density of the weak serum. Meanwhile, the result of ELISA showed that sIgE detection value in-creased 92.9%in patients with shrimp allergy after coating effective antigens. Conclusion The detecting sensitivity of sIgE can be improved by using effective protein components of shrimp as coated antigens.